How I Wonder What You Are (Choc Lit)

When it comes to men, Molly Gilchrist has been going through a bit of a dry spell. Imagine her surprise when she finds one passed out on the moors near her home. But this is no local lout passed out after a night at the pub, this is astrophysicist Dr. Phinn Baxter. Molly may not be lucky in love, but Phinn has an even worse track record when it comes to affairs of the heart. As the love lorn pair grows closer, Molly begins to wonder about the lights she’s been seeing in the night sky, the ones that appeared right around the time she found Phinn. A sweet, magical love story

How I Wonder What You Are, (Choc Lit), Jane Lovering Genre: romance Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews Well, I loved this book, it’s one of a very few that made me laugh out loud. Very rare for me, smile, even snigger occasionally, but a full on laugh...very rare. Its the septic tank, lavender trouser suit that first did it, the mental images....made me smile even thinking of them.
So, we meet Phinn and Molly, both escaping from traumas and hiding from life in the tiny village of Riverdale. Its an inauspicious meeting though, Molly’s out riding the phlegmatic Stan ( I grew up riding ponies like that, when you’re a horse mad child you don’t care that some horses have just two gaits; Dead Slow and Stop...so they can take full advantage of the hedgerows.) when she comes across Phinn, passed out cold, naked, up on the moors. What’s a girl to do? she can’t leave him – it’s freezing out – so she hauls him up onto Stan, and takes him home. Of course by the time she’s lugged him over the concrete and inside, if he wasn’t injured before he is now...tender skin and saddles don’t go well together any more than tender skin and rough concrete, so when he wakes he’s not only disorientated but very tender. As Caro puts it – she’s ridden nude and she hasn’t got a scrotum! Ouch..
Caro, Molly’s saviour and fount of wisdom. It’d be great to see her in a book next, with the sharp outside, soft inside, Link. Both are much more than the front they show. Caro “rescued” Molly, and now Molly sees her as a close friend, but Caro doesn’t know what she’s running from, other than a man of course. Slowly that comes out along with Phinn’s history. They are so funny, every meeting seems to be a disaster, they both seem to miss every hint and opportunity, and yet we’re compelled to root for them, to want them to find a way forward, but its all two steps forward and one step back. Its a funny read, full of parts that made me snigger, laugh out loud, and then feel really emotional because it was just so, so sad. Running through the text are the Lights, the mysterious lights that no-one else seems to see.
It’s a great read, full of humour and pathos, and one to read again when you want a really feel good romance but not one that’s going to drag you into despair – there’s a place for those, but also for ones like this, where the characters find their way together through a myriad of funny everyday occurrences, where its peppered with dry humour. When they do finally get together it just feels so right, so meant to be, when finally the title makes sense. Looking for what else Jane has written I found I'd downloaded another a couple of years back but not read it...so that’s what I’m reading now, the funny Vampire State of Mind..
Stars: Five, a fun and rewarding romance.
ARC provided by Netgalley and publishers

I've read all Jane's books and this one was equal to, if not better than them all. I love the touch of magic/supernatural in them and the humour. The humour is fantastic. I laugh out loud and in a couple of places ended up crying with laughter.

Molly and Phinn are fabulous characters and their conversations are a scream. They are also very damaged people and this side of their relationship is dealt with very sensitively. I confess I had to read the speech from Link twice to see what Phinn heard but then it all made sense. And Molly's hatred of her mother wasn't explained until halfway through the book, which kept me on my toes! I also liked the fact that the lights remain a mystery.

I recommend this book wholeheartedly :)

Quirky, hilarious and satisfying read. I loved how the dry humour and the outrageousness was woven so drily into a sad and serious set of circumstances. Amazing talent, to be able to tickle a reader while still engaging in honest emotions and leave you feeling like suddenly the world is alright. There were a lot of dramatic elements here - some were a bit predictable - and Phinns backpedalling might have been dragged out a little too thoroughly - but all in all a very smart and fast story. All characters (human and equine) were expertly written with depth, wit, and feeling, the scene was cleverly described, and the story brought to a lovely conclusion. Will be telling my library ladies about this one!! Thank you!

I always enjoy books published by Choc Lit. I know that there will be strong characters, a great storyline and a satisfying ending. This book was no exception. I really warmed to both the main characters, Molly and Phinn. Molly seems to be quite a practical self assured woman but it is clear she has a past she is trying to forget. Phinn is exceptionally clever but has no confidence in himself outside of his scientific work. Throughout the book I was willing them to get together as they are so obviously perfectly matched and could help each other deal with their pasts. Over the course of the book, we gradually get to find out what they are trying to put behind them, who has hurt them both so much and why they have ended up in the sleepy village of Riverdale. There are many twists and turns in the story with lots of humour and just a hint of magic. Do Molly and Phinn finally get together? Well, you'll need to read this lovely, heartwarming book for yourself to find out.

How I Wonder What You Are is one intriguing and phenomenal romance novel. A story unlike many others. It all started 18 months ago as Molly Gilchrist stumbled upon a naked man laying upon the moor. Molly instinctively thinks of this man as a drunk. But soon Doctor Phinn Baxter proves her wrong. He is so much more than what she could have imagined. A Doctor in astrophysics and a man unlike others Molly has ever come across. She begins seeing strange lights in the night’s sky starting from the moment she meets Dr. Phinn Baxter. What do the lights mean? And is there a connection between them and Dr. Phinn and how so? Is the universe laughing at Molly? Or is it trying to tel her something?

Molly is running away from something and Dr. Phinn has a past that he is hiding from but soon all will reveal itself. Both Molly and Dr. Phinn will make readers laugh, cry, and fall in love. A good sweet romance that makes one feel good inside and out. A brilliantly well written plot that sucks readers straight into the plot. Unlike many its genre, this novel by Jane Lovering will keep readers reading and re-reading all night long. How I What You Are will keep readers turning the pages and coming back for more by this talented writer. I thoroughly enjoyed reading her wonderful novel. So romantic and a fresh new voice to read. Overall, I rate this a five out of five stars. I promise this is one readers won’t want to miss!

Jane Lovering is an author to watch out for, not only does she create engaging characters and brilliant settings, but she manages to infuse such warmth and humour throughout her stories, which make them such a joy to read.

‘How I Wonder What You Are’ is a book that I was unable to put down. From the word go I was immersed in the Yorkshire landscape and the village life that Molly had escaped to. Being from a small village myself, I could see so many similarities and it made the reading experience that much more richer, as the world Lovering created just felt so real.

Molly was the perfect heroine. I love how Jane Lovering didn’t create a character who was just so likeable, but instead gave her a real depth and character flaws that made her so much more believable as a person. To see her overcome flaws that she felt had controlled her life was really inspiring, and I really enjoyed her accepting her faults and trying hard to move on, and learn from her past experiences. I really felt for her when the truth about the breakdown of her engagement came out, and I was firmly on Team Molly throughout.

Phinn was just the icing on the cake, so to speak. I have a weakness for nerdy guys (probably as I’m rather nerdy myself), and Phinn was the perfect guy for me to swoon over. Jane Lovering did a fantastic job at developing Phinn’s character throughout, as I could see the progress he was making at every turn, and seeing it through his own eyes was so rewarding. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a female reader who won’t want to give Phinn a huge hug.

Infused throughout was some brilliant humour that fit so naturally with the story and characters. Link was hilarious, yet also so multi-dimensional that he wasn’t just a character thrown in to add humour, but one who really helped the pace and development of the story. His reaction to Phinn’s shame over his alpha-male behaviour in bed was brilliant, and it was these little tidbits that made the story what it was.

And not since Flynn Rider and Maximus have I loved a bromance as much as that of Phinn and Stan. Classic!

5 Stars!

*Review copy was kindly provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

This book had me giggling from Page One. No, Not a gentle little ladylike guffaw; rather the maniacal roar at finding a naked man jumping out at me from the inside cover.
'How I wonder what you are' is a funny, well crafted romance that explores the budding relationship between Molly and Phinn. Molly is hiding in Yorkshire as she tries to rebuild her life after a failed relationship, while Phinn is just hiding: Hiding from life, hiding from his work but ultimately hiding from himself. And then of course there's Stan!

This book was a delight to read. I loved the beautiful cover and was immediately drawn to that and the story did not disappoint. I quite often found myself grinning at my kindle at some of the comments the characters came out with. A good relaxing light hearted read which does touch on some darker subjects.

Sweet story. Very entertaining and engaging.

A story about two Misfits.. or so they think... who are trying to escape something. As Molly finds Phinn naked and unconscious on the Moors, you start to wonder what is to become of this story. But as the story evolves, you find a hilarious but heat warming story that will entertain the coldest of hearts. Loved the characters and the softness of the story. This is certainly one for a lazy sunny day.

A lovely romantic read about overcoming the scars that unhappy and/or unhealthy relationships sear on all aspects of one's life.

Molly (a journalist) and Phinn (an astrophysicist) are both hiding from their past, but a chance encounter and a shared goal sets them up on the road to emotional recovery. The characters (both main and secondary) are beautifully drawn, their back stories drip-fed to the reader in a way that makes you want to keep the pages turning. The change in point of view between Molly and Phinn adds a delightful spin to the story.

Comedy, conflict, romance, and a dash of mystery. What more do you need?

I have to admit – it’s very difficult to not be immediately drawn in (or to not chuckle) when a novels opens up with a woman finding a naked man, passed out, turning slightly blue due to the cold, out on the moors. I mean really – could you resist? I didn’t think so.

I thoroughly enjoyed How I Wonder What You Are. This isn’t a story where you are going to be overloaded with character information at first – you are going to get to know them slowly, over the course of their story. And that is not a bad thing. At a time when a character’s entire backstory is given to the reader within the first two paragraphs, getting to know and, perhaps understanding, them was an enjoyable part of the overall story.

You could call them both wounded, misfits and not be wrong – but they are also both in need of someone special who will see past the surface to the people they truly are. And don’t we all want that out of life?

This is a novel of discovery, a bit of mystery, a touch of supernatural. It’s also one of being accepted for exactly who you are. Phinn is not your typical romance hero – in fact he is more geek than hero, and that is perfectly fine. They can’t all be Alpa men, we need the normal Beta guys too. Not every woman wants to constantly deal with an Alpha. Molly hasn’t always been the woman she is today. But then who among us is the same person we were 10 years ago? She is doing some hiding of her own now.

Each will slowly find their way to each other. And there comes the romance in the story.

And what are the lights that only Molly and Phinn see when they are together?

You’ll just have to read How I Wonder What You Are for yourself – and maybe find out.

I believe this is a novel that has to be read. I do not want or intend to give you a blow by blow of the story. You have enough to think about already. (Remember the naked man on the moors) *wink*

Because so much of what and who Molly and Phinn are, this is a slowly unfolding story that needs to be read to be enjoyed or even understood. It’s a slow, steady pace (in my opinion) and again, that is not a bad thing. This is an enjoyable story and one I would recommend for anyone who enjoys digging a bit deeper to find out who the characters really are. The touch of the magical is also a wonderful addition to the story. If you can slow down and let the story unfold itself to you – then you will love this one. Go on, give it a try – I think you’ll be glad you did.

*I received an e-ARC of How I Wonder What You Are from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*

enjoyable choc lit book, easy read that holds your interest throughout. highly recommend. look forward to reading more from Jane.

How I Wonder What You Are is the first book I have read published by Choc Lit. What a great find it is. This is the second new romance company that I have found that is right up my alley. Truly a company that must believe - it is all about the story and while we’re at it let’s make it a great story.

This is certainly a humdinger of one by Jane Lovering. I couldn’t believe that there were three previous books in the Yorkshire Romance Series. I laughed, I even cringed a few times, and I had my heart broken along with Molly but I never gave up hope for Phinn. Lastly I learned as Phinn did from a child, when Lucas said “But life’s not fair, Doctor Baxter. We just have to do what we can with what we’ve got.”

Wow, what a beautiful story of fate, finding strength to overcome fears and stepping out to embrace love. How I Wonder What You Are is full of colorful writing that creates vivid images. Just a small example – “boxes of toys overflowing as though a tsunami of plastic had just passed.” Then there is the entertaining storyline that the author somehow manages to makes both humorous and poignant, along with the many memorable characters who stole my heart. What a treat! Loved it!

This was such a sweet story. I was absolutely charmed from the get go and read it in one sitting. There is love, humor, emotion, and a multiple story lines. Lots of fun!

Sweet story about two individuals who both feel like misfits but find themselves in each other. Great read for a day at the beach.